http://www.wri-irg.org/news/2008/redjuvenil-threats-en.htm
Statement by Red Juvenil Medellín -- 6 June, 2008
We
want to inform human rights organizations and government agencies of
the threat made against our organization by paramilitaries calling
themselves Las Aguilas Negras (Black Eagles).
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On Thursday 29 and Friday May 30, 2008, Red Juvenil in Medellín
received the following message from
redesnegras@hotmail.com: "Death to anarchists disguised as a
pacifists. No more concerts of drugs and communists. No further
notice." The threats were directed at eight members and close
friends of Red Juvenil, and signed Aguilas Negras.
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The people who appeared on the list and who are and have been
activists of our organization were: Gloria Castaño, Martin
Rodriguez, Paula Galeano, Eduardo Castrillon, Alexandra
Castrillon, Patricia Llano,Diegro Agredo and Claudia Montoya.
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On 15 May, in the morning when we arrived at the office of Red
Juvenil, we found that light fused had been stolen, something we
immediately connected to demands for protection money ('una
vacuna') made on the shop at the premises - the shop of the
agro-ecological network Raiz (Root) - a 'vacuna' that we refuse
to pay.
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As is public knowledge, May 17, 2008, Red Juvenil held the
"Concert Antimilitarism XIV, commemorating 10 years of its
existence" in Labor Park in Boston - an event obstructed by the
failure of the Corporación Democracia to keep its agreement with
the municipal authority.
[Translator's note: Corporación
Democracia is the organisation representing and reintegrating
paramilitaries 'demobilised' in the 2006 negotiations with the
government.] Instead of completing its
event with displaced mothers by 11.30 am, its activities had not
ended by 2pm and its platform only removed by 7pm. Although we
believe that this failure to observe the schedule was tantamount
to sabotage by the Corporación Democracia, our concert took
place successfully with the particiatipn of more than 5,000
young people, thus meeting our goal of mobilising youth who
share our vision of a different society and want to resist all
forms of oppression and militarism.
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If in the city of Medellín, the municipal council preaches the
dismantling of paramilitary structures, exempt from punishment
in a process of demobilisation that only benefits those who have
made others victims, then why do death threats continue against
those who desire a just society, and work in artistic, cultural
and nonviolent projects? Those such as Red Juvenil?
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The justification to eliminate people indicated in an expression
such as "Death to anarchists disguised as pacifists, no more
concerts drugs or communist" looks to homogenize society, to
make people be identical, not allowing us to think of the
possibility of being different as a way to reconstruct humanity.
Through its commitment to nonviolence, the Red Juvenil affirms
the defence of life and opposes the elimination of human beings
for thinking differently.
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We reiterate our resolve to continue with the popular nonviolent
struggle, to generate proposals to enhance life, joy, respect
and the dignity of the human condition, with what we value, what
is exceptional and unique - like art, music, nonviolent direct
action, put into bodily expression on the streets and combining
to mobilise with others who share an affinity for these
approaches.
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We denounce and reject the threats that paramilitary groups
still operating in the city have launched against several
members of our organization and others nearby.
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Hold the Colombian state responsible for any violation of the
rights of our companions in Red Juvenil and close friends
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We make this difficult situation known to you so that you may
accompany us, and take the actions within your power to protect
the well-being of the organisation and the lives of the
threatened activists.
Write to these addresses:
United Nations High Commission on Human Rights
fsanchez@hchr.org.co
Organization of American States:
javier.aguilar@mapp-oea.com.co
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